EP0475244B1 - Verriegelungsvorrichtung zur Verwendung in einem Fahrzeug - Google Patents

Verriegelungsvorrichtung zur Verwendung in einem Fahrzeug Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0475244B1
EP0475244B1 EP19910114826 EP91114826A EP0475244B1 EP 0475244 B1 EP0475244 B1 EP 0475244B1 EP 19910114826 EP19910114826 EP 19910114826 EP 91114826 A EP91114826 A EP 91114826A EP 0475244 B1 EP0475244 B1 EP 0475244B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
section
casing
latching
locking
latching member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19910114826
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0475244A2 (de
EP0475244A3 (de
Inventor
Kobayashi Yasutomo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nifco Inc
Original Assignee
Nifco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nifco Inc filed Critical Nifco Inc
Publication of EP0475244A2 publication Critical patent/EP0475244A2/de
Publication of EP0475244A3 publication Critical patent/EP0475244A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0475244B1 publication Critical patent/EP0475244B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B77/00—Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes
    • E05B77/02—Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes for accident situations
    • E05B77/04—Preventing unwanted lock actuation, e.g. unlatching, at the moment of collision
    • E05B77/06—Preventing unwanted lock actuation, e.g. unlatching, at the moment of collision by means of inertial forces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/08—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for refuse, e.g. ash-trays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/08—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for refuse, e.g. ash-trays
    • B60N3/083—Ash-trays
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S292/00—Closure fasteners
    • Y10S292/04—Automatic release latches
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S292/00—Closure fasteners
    • Y10S292/22—Inertia operated
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
    • Y10T292/08—Bolts
    • Y10T292/0876—Double acting
    • Y10T292/0877—Sliding and swinging
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
    • Y10T292/08—Bolts
    • Y10T292/1043—Swinging
    • Y10T292/1075—Operating means
    • Y10T292/1083—Rigid
    • Y10T292/1092—Swinging catch

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a latching device for use on a vehicle and, more particularly, to a latching device provided with a locking mechanism and a safety mechanism capable of acting by inertia to prevent the locking mechanism being undone when the vehicle collides against an obstacle.
  • a conventional latching device of for such a use comprises a casing having an opening, a latching member supported for sliding in the casing so as to be inserted in and removed from the casing through the opening, urging means for urging the latching member so that the latching member projects from the casing, and a locking mechanism which locks the latching member at a locking position within the casing against the urging force of the urging means and capable of being undone when the latching member is pushed to an unlocking position within the casing.
  • Such a latching device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-open (Kokai) Nos. Sho 60-11977, Sho 61-163870, Sho 61-176373, Sho 63-199140 and Hei 1-163682.
  • Storing devices for vehicles provided with a safety mechanism capable of preventing a locking mechanism being undone by inertia are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open (Kokai) No. Sho 64-41434 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-open (Kokai) No. Hei 2-25332.
  • the locking mechanism for the former storing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open (Kokai) No. Sho 64-41434 employs a grooved cam provided with a heart-shaped cam groove, and a locking lever controlled by the grooved cam.
  • a safety mechanism combined with this locking mechanism comprises a movable member that is able to be moved into the range of turning motion of the locking lever by inertia, and spring means for urging the movable member outside the range of turning motion of the locking lever.
  • the locking mechanism for the latter storing device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. Hei 2-25332 employs a hook member, and a locking pin that engages the hook member.
  • a safety mechanism combined with this locking mechanism comprises a movable member capable of being moved into the range of turning motion of the hook member by inertia, and spring means urging the movable member outside the range of turning motion of the hook member.
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide a latching device comprising a locking mechanism of a simple construction, provided with a safety mechanism for preventing the disengagement of the locking mechanism by inertia.
  • a latching device in a first aspect of the present invention incorporates a safety mechanism comprising a movable member pivotally supporting a locking lever and supported for sliding motion in the direction of sliding movement of a latching member within a casing so as to be moved by inertia in the direction of movement of the latching member, and biasing means for biasing the movable member toward the latching member.
  • the latching member moves backward from a locking position to an unlocking position against the force of biasing means, such as a compression spring.
  • biasing means such as a compression spring.
  • the movable member is moved backward within the casing in the direction of backward movement of the latching member against the resilient force of the spring means. Since the position of the locking lever relative to a cam groove remains unchanged, the locking device remains in a locking state.
  • Figs. 1 to 10 show a latching device in a first embodiment according to the present invention suitable for use on a vehicle, in which:
  • a latching device 10 is combined with a sliding ashtray or a sliding container provided on the instrument panel, not shown, of an automobile.
  • the latching device 10 engages the striker 20 of the sliding ashtray or the sliding container.
  • the latching device 10 comprises, as principal components, a hollow casing 30 having an open front end 31, a latching member 40 inserted through the open front end 31 in the casing 30 and supported for sliding in the casing 30, a compression spring 50, i.e., biasing means, biasing the latching member 40 so that the latching member 40 project outside the casing 30 through the open front end 31, a locking mechanism 60 for locking the latching member 40 at a locking position (Figs.
  • the locking mechanism 60 comprises a locking lever 90 having an outer end 92 engaging a heart-shaped cam groove 80 formed in the upper surface of a latching member 40, and a holding spring 100, i.e., holding means, pressing the outer end 92 of the locking lever 90 toward the bottom surface of the cam groove 80.
  • the safety mechanism 70 comprises a slider 110, i.e., a movable member, pivotally supporting the locking lever 90 at its rear end 91, supported for sliding movement in the direction of sliding movement of the latching member 40 in the casing 30 and capable of being moved by inertial force in the direction of movement of the latching member 40, and a spring 120, i.e., spring means, biasing the slider 110 toward the latching member 40.
  • a slider 110 i.e., a movable member, pivotally supporting the locking lever 90 at its rear end 91, supported for sliding movement in the direction of sliding movement of the latching member 40 in the casing 30 and capable of being moved by inertial force in the direction of movement of the latching member 40
  • a spring 120 i.e., spring means
  • the casing 30 has a body 130 having the shape of a rectangular tube, and flanges 140 extending outward respectively from the outer surfaces of the side walls of the body 130 at the open front and 31.
  • the casing 30 is formed of a thermoplastic resin having moderate rigidity and elasticity in an integral unit.
  • the body 130 of the casing 30 is provided on the outer surfaces of the side walls thereof with a pair of elastic stopper 131, which extends slopewise toward the backsides of the flanges 140.
  • the casing 30 is held on the instrument panel, not shown, by the elastic stoppers 131 and the flanges 140 so as to extend behind the instrument panel.
  • the interior of the body 130 of the casing 30 is divided into a front chamber 143 on the side of the open front end 31, and a rear chamber 144 by a partition wall 132.
  • the latching member 40 is received slidably in the front chamber 143, and the slider 110 of the safety mechanism 70 is received slidably in the rear chamber 144.
  • a projection 133 projects toward the front from the front surface of the lower portion of the partition wall 132, and the compression spring 50 is put on the projection 133.
  • the latching member 40 has an upper flat portion 41 provided in its upper surface with the cam groove 80, a holding portion 42 extending downward from the lower surface of the rear half of the flat portion 41 in a shape resembling a U-shaped frame opening toward the rear so as to receive the front end of the compression spring 50, and an elastic catch 43 having a U-shaped front portion, extending obliquely toward the front from the lower surface of the flat portion 41 so as to extend obliquely downward beyond a plane including the outer surface of the bottom wall of the casing 30.
  • the latching member 40 is formed of a thermoplastic resin having moderate rigidity and elasticity in an integral unit.
  • the flat portion 41 has a pair of flanges 44 extending upward from the opposite side edges thereof.
  • the upper edges 44 of the flanges 44 are in sliding contact with the inner surface of the upper wall of the casing 30.
  • the heart-shaped cam groove 80 formed in the upper surface of the flat portion 41 defines a heart-shaped land 81.
  • the heart-shaped land 81 has a concave, U-shaped front end 81a, and a convex, V-shaped rear end 81b.
  • the cam groove 80 consists of a lead-in section 82 substantially linearly extending toward the front to the V-shaped rear end 81b of the heart-shaped land 81, a first section 83 extending toward the front in a curve from the lead-in section 82 and reducing its depth toward its front end 83a, a returning section 84 extending from the shallowest front end 83a of the first section 83 beyond the U-shaped front end 81a of the heart-shaped land 81, having a depth greater than that of the shallowest front end 83a of the first section 83, and having a closed front end, a locking section 85 having a shape conforming to the U-shaped front end 81a of the heart-shaped land 81 and a depth greater than that of the returning section 84, contiguous with the returning section 84, an escaping section 86 contiguous with the locking section 85, having a depth greater than that of the locking section 85, extending toward the front beyond the U-shaped front end 81a of the heart-shaped land
  • a guide groove 88 branches from the middle of the lead-in section 82.
  • the rear end 88a of the guide groove 88 opens in the rear end of the latching member 40, and the front end 88b of the same joins to the middle of the lead-in section 82.
  • the depth of the front end 88b is smaller than that of the lead-in section 82.
  • a hook 43a having an upper surface declining to the front is formed in the front end of the elastic catch 43 as best shown in Fig. 4.
  • Formed in the extremity of the striker 20 is a hook 21 having a shape complementary to that of the hook 43a of the elastic catch and having a lower surface declining toward the front as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the hook 43a of the elastic catch 43 and the hook 21 of the striker engage each other.
  • the locking lever 90 is a round metal wire.
  • the opposite ends of the locking lever 90 are bent downward substantially in the a shape resembling the letter L.
  • the rear end 91 of the locking lever 90 is supported pivotally on the slider 110, and the front end 92 of the same is received in the cam groove 80.
  • the slider 110 of the safety mechanism 70 is formed of a metal so that the slider 110 is comparatively heavy.
  • the slider 110 has a rear portion 111 received for sliding movement in the rear chamber 144 of the body 130 of the casing 30, and a front portion 112 protruding to the front from the upper portion of the front surface of the rear portion 111 and pivotally supporting the locking lever 90 at its rear end 91.
  • Guide projections 113a and 113b having the shape of a sawtooth project in opposite directions from the upper and lower surfaces of the rear portion 111 of the slider 110, respectively.
  • the front surface of each of the guide projections 113a and 113b is declined to the front.
  • a recess 114 is formed in the rear surface of the slider 110 to receive the front end of the coil spring 120.
  • the front portion 112 of the slider 110 is provided with a vertical through hole 115 having a diameter greater than that of the rear end 91 of the locking lever 90.
  • the rear end 91 of the locking lever 90 is received in the through hole 115 so that the locking lever 90 is able to turn about the through hole 115 and is able to incline relative to the slider 110.
  • the open rear end 134 of the body 130 of the casing 30 is closed by the holding spring 100 after inserting the slider 110 through the open rear end 134 in the rear chamber 144.
  • Longitudinal Guide slots 135a and 135b are formed in the upper and lower walls of the body 130 of the casing 30 to receive the guide projections 113a and 113b slidably therein, respectively.
  • an opening 136 opening into the front chamber 143 is formed in the upper wall of the body 130 of the casing 30.
  • the front portion of the holding spring 100 extends through the opening 136 to depress the locking lever 90.
  • An opening 137 is formed in the upper central portion of the partition wall 132 of the body 130 of the casing 30 as shown in Fig. 2 and 3.
  • the front portion 112 of the slider 110 is received in the opening 137, and the chambers 143 and 144 communicates with each other by means of the opening 137.
  • the holding spring 100 is formed of a metal and has a U-shaped cross section conforming to the rear end of the body 130 of the casing 30 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • a pressing portion 102 for depressing the locking lever 90 is formed in the front portion of the upper tongue 101 of the holding spring 100.
  • a middle portion of the upper tongue 101 is raised to form a lug 103.
  • a protrusion 105 having a U-shaped cross section is formed in the rear portion 104 of the holding spring 100 so as to protrude into the rear chamber 144 of the casing 30 toward the recess 114 of the slider 110.
  • the rear end of the coil spring 120 is put on the protrusion 105.
  • a middle portion of the lower tongue 106 is raised to form a lug 107 similar to the lug 103 of the upper tongue 101.
  • shoulders 138a and 138b are formed on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the body 130 of the casing 30, respectively.
  • the lugs 103 and 107 engage the shoulders 138a and 138b, respectively.
  • the coil spring 120 of the safety mechanism 70 is compressed between the recess 114 of the slider 110 and the protrusion 105 of the holding spring 100 to bias the slider 110 toward the partition wall 132 of the body 130 by its resilience.
  • An inertial force that moves the slider 110 is dependent on the spring constant of the coil spring 120.
  • the inertial force capable of moving the slider 110 is, for example, on the order of 30 G, so that the slider 110 will not move even if the vehicle is accelerated or decelerated at a very high rate.
  • the rear end 91 of the locking lever 90 is inserted from above in the through hole 115 of the slider 110, and then the slider 110 is inserted through the open rear end 134 of the body 130 of the casing 30 in the rear chamber 144.
  • the guide projections 113a and 113b of the slider 110 come into contact with the upper and lower edges of the open rear end 134 of the body 130.
  • the slider 110 is pushed hard to deform the open rear end 134 of the body 130 slightly in vertical directions by the inclined front surfaces of the guide projections 113a and 113b so that the guide projections ride over the edges of the open rear end 134 and plunge into the guide slots 135a and 135b, respectively, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the body 130 restores its original shape elastically.
  • the slider 110 thus fitted in the rear chamber 144 of the body 130 slides longitudinally with its guide projections 113a and 113b being guided by the guide slots 135a and 135b of the body 130, respectively.
  • the slider 110 is stopped at a frontmost position with its front surface in contact with the rear surface of the partition wall 132. as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the slider 110 is stopped at a rearmost position with the guide projections 113a and 113b in contact with the rear ends of the guide slots 135a and 135b, respectively, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10.
  • the distance of sliding movement of the slider 110 is approximately equal to the over stroke of the latching member 40, namely, the distance between the locking position and the unlocking position of the latching member 40.
  • the locking lever 90 projects through the opening 137 of the partition wall 132 into the front chamber 143 so that the front end 92 of the same is in the front chamber 143 as shown in Fig. 2 and 3.
  • the compression spring 50 is inserted through the open front end 31 of the casing 30 in the front chamber 143 to put the compression spring 50 on the projection 133 with one end thereof received in an annular recess 141 surrounding the projection 133.
  • the latching member 40 is inserted through the open front end 31 of the casing 30 in the front chamber 143 so that the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 extending in the front chamber 143 is received in the rear end 88a of the guide groove 88.
  • the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 moves relative to the latching member 40 along the guide groove 88 and falls from the front end 88b of the guide groove 88 into the lead-in section 82 of the cam groove 80.
  • the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 falls in the lead-in section 82 of the cam groove 80, the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 is unable to return to the guide groove 88 because the lead-in section 82 is deeper than the front end 88b of the guide groove 88.
  • the front end of the compression spring 50 is received in the holding portion 42 of the latching member 40.
  • the compression spring 50 is compressed between the rear surface 142 of the bottom wall of the holding portion 42 and the front surface of the partition wall 132 of the body 130 of the casing 30 as shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly, the latching member 40 is urged by the resilience of the compression spring 50 so as to project outside the casing 30 through the open front end 31 of the casing 30.
  • the latching member 40 is restrained from projection beyond a front most position by the engagement of the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 with the rear end of the lead-in section 82 of the cam groove 80.
  • the front end of the spring 120 is put in the recess 114 of the slider 110 inserted in the rear chamber 144 of the body 130 of the casing 30, and then the holding spring 100 is put on the rear portion of the body 130 so that the rear end of the spring 120 is put on the protrusion 105 of the holding spring 100, and the upper tongue 101 and the lower tongue 106 thereof extend along the outer surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the body 130 of the casing 30, respectively.
  • the upper lug 103 and the lower lug 107 of the holding spring 100 engage the upper shoulder 138a and the lower shoulder 138b of the body 130, respectively, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the holding spring 100 is unable to be removed from the body 130 of the casing 30.
  • the pressing portion 102 of the upper tongue 101 of the holding spring 100 depresses the locking lever 90 resiliently so that the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 is pressed against the bottom surface of the cam groove 80.
  • the open rear end of the body 130 of the casing 30 is closed by the rear portion 104 of the holding spring 100 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the spring 120 extends between the recess 114 of the slider 110 and the protrusion 105 of the holding spring 100 and is compressed between the bottom of the recess 114 and the front surface of the rear portion 104 of the holding spring 100 to urge the slider 110 resiliently toward the rear surface of the partition wall 132 of the body 130.
  • the front portion of the latching member 40 protrudes to the front through the open front end 31 of the casing 30 when the latching device 10 is in the unlocking state.
  • the striker 20 is caught by the elastic catch 43.
  • the holding portion 42 is retracted entirely into the front chamber 143.
  • the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 moves relative to the latching member 40 and advances from the lead-in section 82 to the curved first section 83.
  • the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 is unable to move from the lead-in section 82 into the second section 87 because the lead-in section 82 is deeper than the shallowest end 87a of the second section 87.
  • the front end 92 of the locking lever 92 enters the returning section 84.
  • the backward movement of the latching member 40 is stopped upon the abutment of the rear end of the latching member 40 on the front surface of the partition wall 132 of the body 130 of the casing 30. Accordingly, the latching member 40 is pushed back toward the front by the resilience of the compression spring 50 when the pressure applied to the striker 20 is removed. Then, the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 moves in the reverse direction along the returning section 84 and reaches the locking section 85 as shown in Figs 8 and 9. Once the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 reaches the locking section 85, the front end 92 is unable to return to the first section 83 because the locking section 85 is deeper than the shallowest end 83a of the first section 83. In this state, the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 engages the recess 81a of the heart-shaped land 81 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 to lock the latching member 40 in place against the resilience of the compression spring 50.
  • the elastic catch 43 extending below the lower surface of the bottom wall of the casing 30 is raised by the front edge of the bottom wall of the body 130 of the casing 30, so that the striker 20 is held between the lower surface of the flat portion 41 and the upper surface of the elastic catch 43, and the hook 43a of the elastic catch 43 and the hook 21 of the striker 20 are engaged when the latching member 40 is retracted into the front chamber 143 of the body 130 as shown in Fig. 8.
  • the striker 20 is retained in the front chamber 143 of the body 130 of the casing 30 by the latching member 40.
  • the striker 20 In releasing the striker 20 from the latching device 10, the striker 20 is pushed to push the latching member 40 further backward in the body 130.
  • the latching member 40 When the latching member 40 is thus pushed backward in the front chamber 143, the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 moves from the locking section 85 into the escaping section 86 on the other side of the heart-shaped land 81. Since the locking section 85 is deeper than the returning section 84, the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 is unable to move into the returning section 84.
  • the latching member 40 is pressed against the partition wall 132 of the body 130. When the force applied to latching member 40 by the striker 20 is removed in this state, the latching member 40 is moved toward the front by the resilience of the compression spring 50.
  • the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 moves in the reverse direction relative to the latching member 40 from the escaping section 86 into the second section 87. Since the escaping section 86 is deeper than the locking section 85, the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 is unable to return to the locking section 85 in moving in the reverse direction.
  • the latching member 40 is moved further toward the front by the resilience of the compression spring 50 until the front portion of the same protrudes from the open front end 31 of the casing 30 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 returns from the second section 87 to the lead-in section 82 as shown in Fig. 3 and comes into abutment with the rear end of the lead-in section 82 to restrain the latching member 40 being moved further toward the front by the resilience of the compression spring 50, so that the latching member 40 is held at the frontmost position.
  • the elastic catch 43 returns elastically to its original position to release the striker 20 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the latching member 40 moves backward in the front chamber 143 of the body 130 of the casing 30 against the resilience of the compression spring 50, compressing the compression spring 50 by its inertial force.
  • the slider 110 moves backward in the rear chamber 144 of the body 130 of the casing 30 against the resilience of the spring 120, compressing the spring 120 by its inertial force. Since the locking lever 90 is supported at its rear end 91 on the front portion 112 of the slider 110, the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 moves backward.
  • the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 resting in the locking section 85 of the cam groove 80 moves backward relative to the casing 30 together with the slider 110 as the latching member 40, hence the locking section 85 of the cam groove 80, moves backward relative to the casing 30 and, consequently, the position of the front end 92 of the locking lever 90 relative to the locking section 85 of the cam groove 80 remains unchanged, so that the locking mechanism 60 remains in the locking state even if the latching member 40 moves backward relative to the casing 30.
  • the latching device 10 combined with a sliding ashtray or a sliding container provided on the instrument panel, not shown, of an automobile prevents the protrusion of the sliding ashtray or the sliding container into the passenger compartment in case of accidental collision, which secures the passengers effectively against injuries.
  • the safety mechanism 70 becomes effective when the inertial force of the latching member 40 exceeds, for example, 30 G. During normal acceleration or deceleration, the safety mechanism 70 remains inoperative to enable the locking mechanism 60 to be disengaged optionally.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Verriegelungsvorrichtung (10) für ein Fahrzeug, mit:
       einem hohlen Gehäuse (30) mit einem offenen Vorderende;
       einem Verriegelungsbauteil (40), das gleitbar beweglich in dem Gehäuse (30) so gehalten wird, daß es durch das offene Vorderende (31) des Gehäuses (30) hervorsteht;
       Vorspanneinrichtungen (50) zum Vorspannen des Verriegelungsbauteils (40) in Richtung des offenen Vorderendes (31), so daß das Verriegelungsbauteil (40) nach außen durch das offene Vorderende (31) des Gehäuses (30) hervorsteht;
       einem Sperrmechanismus (60), der das Verriegelungsbauteil (40) an einer Verriegelungsposition im Gehäuse (30) gegen die Vorspannkraft der Vorspanneinrichtungen (50) sperren, und das Verriegelungsbauteil (40) freigeben kann, wenn das Verriegelungsbauteil (40) von der Sperrposition gegen die Vorspannkraft der Vorspanneinrichtung (50) zu einer entsperrten Position in dem Gehäuse (30) gedrückt wird;
       wobei der Sperrmechanismus (60) einen Sperrhebel (90) aufweist, der mit einer herzförmigen Nockennut (80) in Eingriff ist, die im Verriegelungsbauteil (40) ausgebildet ist;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    das Gehäuse (30) Wandeinrichtungen (132) aufweist,
    und dadurch, daß die Verriegelungsvorrichtung einen Sicherheitsmechanismus (70) mit einem beweglichen Bauteil (110) umfaßt, welches den Sperrhebel (90) schwenkbar trägt und gleitbar im hinteren Abschnitt des Gehäuses (30) aufgenommen ist, wobei Federvorspanneinrichtungen (120) das bewegliche Bauteil (110) in Richtung des Verriegelungsbauteils (40) gegen die Wandeinrichtungen (132) so Vorspannen, daß, wenn die Verriegelungseinrichtung einer Trägheitskraft unterworfen ist, das bewegliche Bauteil sich durch die Trägheit in diesselbe Richtung wie das Verriegelungsbauteil (40) bewegen kann, wodurch das Lösen des Sperrmechanismus (60) durch Trägheit verhindert wird.
  2. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei welcher das Gehäuse (30) einen Körper (130) von der Form eines rechteckigen Rohres und Flansche (140) hat, die sich am offenen Vorderende (31) von den äußeren Oberflächen der entgegengesetzten Seitenwände des Körpers (130) erstrecken, und wobei das Gehäuse (30) aus einem thermoplastischen Harz mit mäßiger Steifigkeit und mäßiger Elastizität als ein integrales Bauteil ausgebildet ist.
  3. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemaß Anspruch 2, bei welcher der Körper (130) des Gehäuses (30) mit einem Paar elastischer Ansätze (131) versehen ist, die sich jeweils mit einer Neigung von den äußeren Oberflächen seiner gegenüberliegenden Seitenwände in Richtung der Rückseiten der Flansche (140) erstrecken, wobei das Gehäuse (30) mit den elastischen Ansätzen (131) an einem festen Bauteil des Fahrzeugs befestigt ist.
  4. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 2, bei der der Körper (130) des Gehäuses (30) innen mit einer Trennwand (132) versehen ist, die sein Inneres in eine Vorderkammer (143) und eine hintere Kammer (144) unterteilt, wobei das Verriegelungsbauteil (40) gleitbar in der vorderen Kammer (143) auf der Seite des offenen Vorderendes (31) aufgenommen und das bewegliche Bauteil (110) des Sicherheitsmechanismus (70) gleitbar in der hinteren Kammer (144) aufgenommen wird.
  5. Verriegelungsmechanismus für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei dem das Verriegelungsbauteil (40) einen oberen flachen Abschnitt (41), der in seiner oberen Oberfläche mit der Nockennut (80) vorgesehen ist, einen Halteabschnitt (42), der sich von der unteren Oberfläche der hinteren Hälfte des flachen Abschnittes (41) in einer Form erstreckt, die einem U-förmigen Rahmen ähnelt, der sich nach hinten öffnet, um so das Vorderende der Vorspannvorrichtung (50) aufzunehmen, und einen elastischen Riegel (43) mit einem U-förmigen Vorderabschnitt aufweist, der sich schräg in der Vorderrichtung so von der unteren Oberfläche des flachen Abschnittes erstreckt, daß er sich schräg nach unten über eine Ebene hinaus erstreckt, die die äußere Oberfläche der unteren Wand des Gehäuses (30) enthält, wobei das Verriegelungsbauteil (40) aus einem thermoplastischen Harz mit mäßiger Steifigkeit und mit mäßiger Elastizität als ein integrales Bauteil ausgebildet ist.
  6. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der die Nockennut (80) in der oberen Oberfläche des flachen Abschnitts (41) des Verriegelungsbauteils (40) herzförmig ausgebildet ist, um so einen herzförmigen Steg (81) zu definieren, der eine im wesentlichen U-förmige Aussparung (81a) im Zentralabschnitt seines vorderen Endes an der Seite des Vorderendes des Verriegelungsbauteils (40), und ein im wesentlichen V-förmiges hinteres Ende (81b) hat, das sich nach hinten verjüngt und auf der Seite des hinteren Endes des Verriegelungsbauteils (40) ausgebildet ist.
  7. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der die Nockennut (80) besteht aus: Einer Einführsektion (82), die sich im wesentlichen linear in Richtung nach vorne zum V-förmigen hinteren Ende des herzförmigen Steges (81) erstreckt, einer ersten Sektion (83), die sich an einer Seite des herzförmigen Steges (81) in Richtung nach vorne in einem Bogen von der Einführsektion (82) erstreckt und deren Tiefe sich in Richtung des Vorderendes Verringert, einer Rückfuhrsektion (84), die sich vom flachsten Vorderende der ersten Sektion (83) über das U-förmige Vorderende des herzförmigen Steges (81) hinaus erstreckt und eine Tiefe, die größer ist als diejenige des flachsten Vorderendes der ersten Sektion (83) und ein geschlossenes Vorderende hat, einer Sperrsektion (85), die eine Form, welche mit dem U-förmigen Vorderende des herzförmigen Steges (81) übereinstimmt, und eine Tiefe hat, die größer ist als diejenige der Rückfuhrsektion (84), und die an die Rückfuhrsektion (84) angrenzt, eine Austrittssektion (86), die an die Sperrsektion (86) angrenzt, mit einer Tiefe, die größer ist als diejenige der Sperrsektion (86), welche sich in Richtung nach vorne über das U-förmige Vorderende des herzförmigen Steges (81) hinaus erstreckt und ein geschlossenes Vorderende hat, und einer zweiten Sektion (87), die sich von der Austrittssektion (86) in Richtung der Einführsektion (82) in einem Bogen auf der anderen Seite des herzförmigen Steges (81) erstreckt und deren Tiefe sich in Richtung ihres hinteren Endes verringert, wobei eine Führungsnut (88) sich Von der Mitte der Einführsektion (82) verzweigt, und wobei die Führungsnut (88) ein Ende, das sich in der Stirnfläche des hinteren Endes des Verriegelungsbauteils (40) öffnet, und ein anderes Ende hat, das mit der Mitte der Einführsektion (82) verbunden ist und eine Tiefe hat, die geringer ist als diejenige der Einführungssektion (82).
  8. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der der Sperrhebel (90) ein runder Metalldraht ist, seine gegenüberliegenden Enden in der Form gebogen sind, die dem Buchstaben L gleicht, und der schwenkbar an seinem hinteren Ende (91) an dem beweglichen Bauteil (110) gehalten wird, wobei sein vorderes Ende (92) mit der Nockennut (80) im Eingriff ist.
  9. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der das bewegliche Bauteil (110) ein aus einem Metall geformtes, vergleichsweise schweres Bauteil ist.
  10. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der das bewegliche Bauteil (110) einen hinteren Abschnitt (111), der gleitbar in der hinteren Kammer (144) des Gehäuses (30) aufgenommen wird, und einen vorderen Abschnitt (112) hat, der in Richtung nach vorne von dem oberen Abschnitt der vorderen Oberfläche des hinteren Abschnitts (111) abragt und den Sperrhebel (90) an seinem hinteren Ende (91) schwenkbar hält.
  11. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der die Federeinrichtung (120), die das bewegliche Bauteil (110) in Richtung des Verriegelungsbauteils (40) vorspannt, eine Wendelfeder ist.
  12. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der das bewegliche Bauteil (110) mit Führungsvorsprüngen (113a, 113b), die die Form von Sägezähnen haben und in jeweils entgegengesetzte Richtungen von der oberen und unteren Oberfläche seines hinteren Abschnitts (111) hervorstehen, und mit einer Aussparung (114) in seiner hinteren Oberfläche versehen ist, die ein Ende der Feder (120) aufnimmt.
  13. Verriegelungsvorrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der das bewegliche Bauteil (110) in seinem vorderen Abschnitt (112) mit einem vertikalen Durchgangsloch (115) versehen ist, das einen Durchmesser hat, der größer ist als derjenige des hinteren Endes (91) des Sperrhebels (90), wobei das hintere Ende (91) des Sperrhebels (90) so in das Durchgangsloch (115) eingesetzt wird, daß der Sperrhebel (90) sich um das Durchgangsloch (115) drehen und relativ zum beweglichen Bauteil (110) neigen kann.
EP19910114826 1990-09-04 1991-09-03 Verriegelungsvorrichtung zur Verwendung in einem Fahrzeug Expired - Lifetime EP0475244B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP232560/90 1990-09-04
JP23256090A JP2912433B2 (ja) 1990-09-04 1990-09-04 車載用のラッチ装置

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EP0475244A2 EP0475244A2 (de) 1992-03-18
EP0475244A3 EP0475244A3 (de) 1992-04-08
EP0475244B1 true EP0475244B1 (de) 1996-07-10

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EP (1) EP0475244B1 (de)
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2912433B2 (ja) 1999-06-28
EP0475244A2 (de) 1992-03-18
DE69120749D1 (de) 1996-08-14
US5090751A (en) 1992-02-25
JPH04115072A (ja) 1992-04-15
EP0475244A3 (de) 1992-04-08
DE69120749T2 (de) 1996-11-28

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